Sonnen 'laying low' for now, says UFC chief

ABS-CBN News

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contender Chael Sonnen is keeping quiet for now after his abrupt retirement from mixed martial arts following a positive test for banned substances.

"He's laying low, man," UFC president Dana White said, as quoted by MMA Fighting, after the UFC 175 event where Sonnen was initially supposed to fight. "He's apologized, he's going to live his life, and he's doing his thing."

Sonnen failed a random drug test conducted by the Nevada Athletic Commission while training for his UFC 175 fight against Vitor Belfort. The bout was immediately scrapped, and Sonnen announced his retirement soon after.

It was revealed shortly after his retirement that Sonnen, who fought for the UFC middleweight and light-heavyweight belts, failed a second drug test.

According to MMA Fighting, White also confirmed that although he has retired, Sonnen still remains under contract with the UFC.

"I asked him, I said, 'Chael, do you have any money?'" White related. "And he said, 'I have every dollar you ever sent me.'"

"I said good for you, man. Because that's a lot of money," the UFC president added.

UFC and FOX Sports had terminated Sonnen’s contract as an analyst shortly after his retirement as well.